Fittness & Flexibility
Chun Yuen Quan is a dynamic form of Kung Fu. It originates from the Northern Shaolin Temple, but was later passed down through the Beijing Opera. It is characterised by its beautiful postures and dynamic flowing movements. It is an excellent system for developing health, fitness and flexibility. It makes the body supple and light and also connects to the body’s Qi – Internal Energy creating a strong circulation of Qi and blood. This means it is good for anyone at any age.
The Northern Shaolin Temple on Song Shan (Mountain), Henan Province, China was founded in the Wei Dynasty in 495 AD. Although a Buddhist Temple, for hundreds of years it has been also famous for its Kung Fu. However, there are many different styles of Northern Shaolin Kung Fu and so the name, Shaolin Kung Fu, is an umbrella under which Chun Yuen Quan is part.
The Beijing Opera was founded in 1790 AD. The opera troupes would (and still do) perform stories from China’s history and the majority of them are about famous heroes who had incredible Kung Fu. This meant that many of the performers were also high level masters in their own right and the ones with the highest level played the leading roles. Over the centuries, there has been much turmoil in China and there were often resistance against the ruling government. Many resistance members who were high level master and hid themselves in the Beijing Opera as it meant they could travel around the country without attracting attention. Perhaps this is how Chun Yuen Quan became part of the Beijing Opera, but this has resulted in a rich history of Martial Arts in the Beijing Opera.
Any good skill can be practised even when a person is older not just when they are young. Chinese say, “Good skill is for life.” Today, this concept is hard for people to accept as they are used to many sports where only young people can stand the training and even then they, too, can have injuries. With Chun Yuen Quan, however, if you practise in the right way and with the right attitude, your body will only get more and more healthy, no matter what your age.
Classes
Origins of Chun Yuen Quan
Chun Yuen Quan was passed to Grandmaster Tse by Sijo (Founder) Wu Chun Yuen. Wu Sijo was a very private person and humble person who did not advertise his teaching and skill. It was only by chance and through a personal introduction that Grandmaster Tse was able to learn from him. On first seeing him Grandmaster Tse says that he knew he had to study with him. His movements were smooth and graceful and his postures were some of the best he had ever seen! Grandmaster Tse introduced himself and asked if he could study. Wu Sijo smiled and said, “Yes if you don’t mind hard work.” From then on Grandmaster Tse would visit his Sīfú at least once or twice a year, staying for weeks at a time to study and spend time with Wu Sijo. They became very close and Grandmaster Tse says he was like his second father. Sadly Wu Sijo passed away February 2003 at the age of 77. Grandmaster Tse found his loss very hard. To honour his memory, he renamed the skill, which before we just called “Northern Shaolin” to Chun Yuen Quan so that all the generations to come would remember such an incredible teacher.